Doughboys

Dir. Edward Sedgwick

79 Minutes

USA

1930

Starring: Buster Keaton, Sally Eilers, Cliff Edwards, Edward Trophy, Victor Patel, Arnold Korff

***/*****

Buster Keaton's second talking picture is a definite tick in the right direction from Free and Easy, taking a much more simple approach and placing Keaton in the army (of course, to impress a girl). Early scenes with their no-nonsense and verbally berating Sergeant (played by Edward Brophy) feel like something that might have inspired Full Metal Jacket), and Brophy (which is also the character name) is a great foil for Keaton's character. The film is a little bit overlong, and it starts to feel like it may be time for the business to settle when they are called out to action (though Keaton leaving enemy lines to see if his side could get them some grub is hilarious). On the whole, it is a fairly enjoyable film and a welcome relief for anyone going through these chronologically.

August 20th, 2019